The number of shorebirds on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge has been building recently and is now higher (Close to double) than at any point last year. Diversity is still low. Also of interest today were 5 Tern species, including 2 adult Black Terns (1 in basic plumage, 1 in almost full alternate) at the north end, 4 Gull-billed Terns at the south end, and a first-summer plumage Least Tern. Of doubtful origin is a Black Swan that showed up today among the 200+ Mute Swans. A snazzy bird, whatever its origin. There was not much shorebird turnover apparent between the last two days, and hopefully the front passing later will move in some new species.
Shorebird Numbers (8/4/09 / 8/5/09): Semipalmated Sandpiper (2,625 / 3,150) Least Sandpiper (180 / 85) Short-billed Dowitcher (525 / 550) Long-billed Dowitcher (2 / 0) Black-bellied Plover (74 / 66) Semipalmated Plover (95 / 110) Stilt Sandpiper (29 / 21) Pectoral Sandpiper (3 / 0) White-rumped Sandpiper (2 (fos) / 0) Lesser Yellowlegs (275 / 205) Greater Yellowlegs (22/ 24) American Oystercatcher (17 / 26) Willet (0 / 1) Killdeer (1 / 1) Spotted Sandpiper (4 / 1) Also: 1 continuing American Coot, 2 Ruddy Ducks, and 2 Green-winged Teal (3 yesterday). Northern Waterthrushes are now around the pond in numbers, with 8 today along the east side of the pond alone. Good (Shore)birding -Doug Gochfeld. Brooklyn, NY. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
